Manchester Police Department adds new officers

Rosa Heile pins a Manchester police badge on the lapel of her husband, Ryan Heile, on Monday. (MARK HAYWARD/UNION LEADER)

MANCHESTER - Seven men were sworn in as Manchester police recruits Monday, four who are police officers from other police departments. One hails from as close as Hooksett, another from as far away as Forth Worth, Texas.

They were sworn in Monday at a police station cermony that drew family members, police brass and Mayor Ted Gatsas.

"We want to have only the most qualified applicants. Your selection is an accomplishment you and your families should be proud of," Police Chief David Mara said in remarks. He went on to say they they will meet good people, bad people, and good people who make bad choices.

He said the seven bring the force to 218 officers. He is budgeted for 221 officers, but one, Jered Maguire, is in military deployment and the department is holding a slot for him.

Gatsas told the seven they had their job because police unions accepted concessions in health care, which freed up money for new hires. Most will start out at a salary of $48,000.

The seven are:

. Brett Fernald, 32, a graduate of Souhegan High School and the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in North Carolina. He was an Army ranger from 2006 to 2010. He has been a Hooksett police officer for 2 1/2 years.

. Raymond Youngs, 35, a graduate of Mannheim American High School in Germany and Northeastern University. He was in the Army National Guard military police from 2001 to 2006. He also worked for the State Deparment in Kurdistan.

. Ryan Heil, 29, a graduate of Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody, Mass., and Salem State Univeristy. He was a Marine from 2006 to 2010. He is a part-time officer in South Hampton.

. Steven Cornacchia, 27, is a graduate of the Andover (Kansas) High School and University of North Texas. He is been a Forth Worth police officer since 2010.

. David Swinson, 27, a graduate of Loudoun Valley High School in Virginia. He is a licensed practical nurse with the Army and was deployed in Iraq twice, the second time with a forward surgical team. He serves in the Army reserves.

. Matthew Blonigen, 29, a graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Dover and Plymouth State University. He has been an Epping police officer since 2010.

. Guy Kozowyk, 32, is a graduate of Revere High School and Suffolk University. He was a lead singer in the death-metal band The Red Chord and owns a music-management company.